Tag: Frankonomics

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More Economists and Policy Experts in Illinois Support the Safe Roads Amendment than Oppose It

Frank Manzo IV

The first item that Illinois voters will see on the ballot on Tuesday is the Safe Roads Amendment. The Amendment would protect– or “lockbox”– all revenue contributed by drivers through motor fuel taxes, tollways, licenses, and vehicle registration fees and require that the money is used solely for transportation purposes.

I surveyed 110 of 578 economics and public policy academics at accredited universities and colleges in Illinois with publicly-available email addresses in August 2016. Among the many topics addressed, I presented the professors and instructors with the following question on the Safe Roads Amendment:  Continue reading “More Economists and Policy Experts in Illinois Support the Safe Roads Amendment than Oppose It”

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Grow Up.

Frank Manzo IV

We’re sick of the dysfunction in Illinois.

As someone who was born after 1981, I am considered a “millennial.” Last summer, my generation became the largest cohort in America.

We outnumber all other generations, but still it often seems that elected officials in Springfield have little concern for our general well-being.

Millennials tend to think that the government should be more involved in making college affordable, helping the poor, and creating jobs. We care about equality – both economic and social. And a smaller share of us sees a real difference between the Republicans and the Democrats.

So let’s just take a quick look at how Illinois is faring on those policy issues – college affordability, helping the poor, job creation, and equality. Continue reading “Grow Up.”

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Illinois Spends Less on Higher Education and Transportation than Almost Every Other State

Frank Manzo IV

Two weeks ago, I wrote about how more infrastructure investment would kickstart the Illinois economy. Transportation infrastructure investment is one government spending item that conclusively boosts employment and reduces costs over the long run. Investment in human capital– in education and skills– is another.

Unfortunately, data from the Social Science Research Council’s Measure of America (scroll down for full data) illustrate how little the State of Illinois spends on transportation infrastructure and higher education compared to the rest of the country.

Continue reading “Illinois Spends Less on Higher Education and Transportation than Almost Every Other State”